HB 1653

This bill requires the department of human services ("department""), through the vocational rehabilitation program, to ensure continued access to accessible information services for blind persons in this state, which includes the National Federation of the Blind newsline, as part of the department's vocational rehabilitation services. For the purpose of supporting such accessible information services, it is the legislative intent that the department, through the vocational rehabilitation program, allocate a minimum of $16, 000 annually in vocational rehabilitation funds. If the department allocates such funds, then the funds must be used to draw down available federal vocational rehabilitation matching funds. Funds so allocated may be used for all of the following:  To maintain access to accessible information services .  To support outreach, training, and marketing activities designed to increase utilization of vocational rehabilitation services for employment and education-related purposes. This bill requires the department to maintain documentation of funding sources related to accessible information services funded pursuant to this bill."